The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, visitedthe GMIT Letterfrack campus on Friday 10 Novemberto mark the 30th anniversary of the partnershipbetween Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)and Connemara West plc. This partnership has beenresponsible for the establishment of Ireland’s leadingeducation and training facility for furniture design,wood technology and teacher education. Over thattime more than 1,300 graduates have emerged fromthe campus which was designated The National Centrefor Excellence in Furniture Design and Technology in 2013.

President Higgins’ visit sees the continuance of the longand proud history of the association between GMITLetterfrack and Áras an Uachtaráin. The Presidentofficially opened a new Communal Furniture Trail whichincorporates community recreational and furnitureprojects designed and made by students of the college,some of which were made from storm-felled trees fromthe grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin and Phoenix Park.

President Higgins said: “It is a great pleasure to be heretoday as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of whatbegan as a most fruitful partnership betweenConnemara West and GMIT. Here in GMIT Letterfrack,students are encouraged to view art and beautifulcraftsmanship as part of the everyday experience,occupying a place at the heart of our communities,enriching our lives and making a profound contributionto our society. It’s wonderful to meet the students andstaff again since my last visit three years ago and seethe pieces they have made together.”

Dermot O’Donovan, Head of campus said: “We are proudto have here today graduates who are forging asuccessful pathway of creativity and innovation in aworld unimaginable to those who first established thesecourses. In a testament to management and staff ofboth organisations who have carried the torch sincethen, graduates now emerging from this campus haveskills and knowledge commensurate with bestinternational practice who are sought after byemployers both in Ireland and overseas.“

Welcome to the 2nd Newsletter for GMIT Letterfrack. This newsletter captures just a few of the events that have takenplace during the academic year of 2017-2018 that highlightscollaborations and opportunities that the students of GMITLetterfrack have been involved with.

Letterfrack Spotlight

Letterfrack | 2016/17

The National Centre for Excellence in Furniture Design and Technology

GMIT Letterfrack, Co Galway T 091 742650 E letterfrack@gmit.ie W www.gmit.ie

NEWSLETTER 2017/2018

WORLDSKILLS ABU DHABI

Sean Hogan from Co Waterford, a fourth-year B.Sc.(Hons) in Furniture and Wood Technology student,was selected to join an Irish Team competing in theWorldSkills 2017 taking place in Abu Dhabi, UnitedArab Emirates from 14 to 19 October. Earlier this yearhe achieved first place in a rigorous selection processdesigned to identify the best and most resilientcompetitor in Cabinetmaking for inclusion in theIreland team.

As part of the Irish Team preparations Sean undertookan intensive training programme under the direction of Declan Barrett, the WorldSkills mentor forCabinetmaking in Dun Laoghaire Further EducationInstitute.

The IrelandSkills and WorldSkills co-ordinator for GMITLetterfrack, lecturer Anthony Clare, says: “This is afantastic achievement for Sean and it will be theexperience of a lifetime for him. All the staff in GMITLetterfrack recognise and applaud Sean’s skill,determination and commitment and sincerely hope heexcels in this competition.

“GMIT Letterfrack has excelled in the IrelandSkillscompetition for the past decade and Sean’s win in the2017 competition delivered a ninth consecutive title to astudent of GMIT Letterfrack, a remarkable achievementfor any Institute of Technology. Three previous studentcompetitors were also selected to represent Ireland inCabinetmaking at WorldSkills. Cian Mulligan fromRathcoole, Co Dublin, competed in 2015, attained sixthplace and won a Medallion of Excellence. Darren Barberfrom Drumcliffe, Co Sligo competed in 2013 and PJMurphy from Ardrahan in County Galway competed in2007 and won a Medallion of Excellence for hisperformance.”

ACHIEVEMENTS

HURLING ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS

Once again, GMIT Letterfrack hurling team travelled to Mallow, Co Cork to play UU Coleraine in the Semi Final of the Fergal Maher Cup. A stunningvictory for GMIT Letterfrack, led by captain Sean Hogan put them into thefinal to defend their 2017 title against St Marys Belfast. Unfortunately, St Marys proved too strong on the day.

Our football team captained by Conor White also made it to the quarter-finals of the Corn Na Mac Léinn Cup competition but narrowly lostto College of Surgeons and made it to the semi-finals of the league. Whatan achievement by our students and coaches – well done to all involved.

TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD

Paul Leamy has been awarded a GMITPresident’s Award for TeachingExcellence for 2017.

On behalf of all of the staff andstudents of The National Centre forExcellence in Furniture Design andTechnology we congratulate Paul onthis hugely significant and deservedaccolade. The award is a reflection ofPaul’s high standards in teaching andlearning and equally on the widercampus here at Letterfrack. I wouldalso like to thank all those who tooktime to support his application.

Paul was presented with his award atthe Graduation Ceremony that tookplace in November 2017.

Students win National Designcompetitions. Kieran McNeely, 2nd Year design studentin GMIT Letterfrack, was awarded theCrafts Council of Ireland – Future Makersstudent award for 2018 with his ‘FallsChair’. Kieran won a prize of €500 inacknowledgment of excellence andcreativity in the experimental use of skillsin the Future Makers student CategoryAwards in July this year. Well done Kieran!

Joey Burns Wood carver

The Students Union organised woodcarving JoeyBurns to come to GMIT Letterfrack in November 2017to demonstrate his unique skills in both carving andchainsaw sculping! Students flocked to see hisworkshop to learn new techniques and to seetransform a tree stump into a cluster of acorns.

RSA

The Road SafetyAuthority returned toGMIT Letterfrack inNovember with theirimpressive interactive truck along

with the roll over simulator. The RSA were alsojoined by the Clifden Fire Department to givedemonstrations on emergency procedurescarried out when attending car incidents.

The interactive truck and roll over simulatorprovide a valuable learning tool to educate roadusers of the potential dangers and harm in theevent of road collisions.

COLLABORATIONS

Kieran McNeely- ‘Falls Chair’

JohnGallagher

won thestudent

furniture awardfrom the Institute of

Designers in Ireland for his finalyear project Kerf, a modern twiston a side table made traditionalmanufacturing techniques ofkerfing and sliding dovetails.

Congratulations also goes tograduate Gabriel Hielscher whowas commended in the same category for his White Giraffe Stool.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF KILN

The official opening of GMIT Irish HardwoodResearch Centre (IHRC) took place on February 21st,2018. Andrew Doyle TD, Minister of State for Forestryand Horticulture officially opened the centre on abeautiful sunny day in Letterfrack. The centre is ahuge asset for the furniture college especially interms of sustainability for the future. This addedresource gives the students opportunities to learn ofthe conversion and seasoning of wood required formanufacturing purposes. This project is acollaboration between Galway-Mayo Institute ofTechnology, Department of Agriculture, Food and theMarine and Connemara West Plc. With a totalinvestment of nearly €140,000. Minister Doylecommented “This project involves building capacityto research and develop expertise in the seasoning,conversion and use of Irish-grown hardwood timer,work that is vital to the Irish timber industry”.

IRISH WOOD AND FURNITUREMANUFACTURING CONFERENCE

The Irish Wood & Furniture Manufacturing Network(IWFMN) was established in 2018 to helpcompanies in the industry thrive throughcollaboration. Its success depends on the activeparticipation of the industries stakeholders;designers, manufacturers and educational bodies.At the first conference of the IWFMN EntrepreneurSean Gallagher shared his knowledge on strategyfor growth & innovation and will embracediscussion with key experts on

- Brexit and International trade- Business Strategy & Growth- Innovation and Design.

GMIT Letterfrack have been a key driver for hisnetwork and believe that the industry requires aplatform to promote collaboration, networking andskills development. Students and staff joined morethan 160 delegates at the conference. Colin Marren,4th year student was asked to do an interview andanswer some questions from the student’sperspective about his career aspirations. Studentsinterested in joining this network can visitwww.ifwm.ie

CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION IN THE CLASSROOM

The annual Creativity and Innovation in theClassroom Conference took place this year inthe Connacht Hotel on February 14th. Thisconference is a showcase for our 4th yearteacher education students of the BSc inEducation (Design, Graphics andConstruction) to present examples ofinnovative teaching practice. All studentteachers are invited to attend, and it is agreat learning event, where knowledge andexperiences are shared. Colleagues formNUIG were also in attendance and awelcoming address was delivered by Ministerfor Education and Skills, Richard Bruton.

President Michael D Higgins withFurniture Designstudent Gerry Murrayon his visit to markthe 30th anniversaryof the partnershipbetween GMITLetterfrack andConnemara West plc

COLLABORATIONS

STUDENTS WORKEXPERIENCE

SEA WEEK 2017 - 'After the Light'The Annual Sea Week community festival took placein Letterfrack in October. 1st year students workedhard on making masks, costumes and lanterns forthe very impressive night festival and parade. Theparade, joined by local National Schools, alwaysproves to be a great spectacle and a fun way tocollaborate with the wider community in Letterfrack.

LEAN FOR INDUSTRYThe Furniture Wood Technology 4th yr.students attended a guest lecture by Mr. MartinConroy, Senior Director, ContinuousImprovement Medtronic, joining up with NUIGEngineering Department undergraduate andpostgraduate students. Martin gave a veryinteresting talk on 'Lean for Industry' and aninsight into the experiences of Medtronic whilstimplementing Lean

SWEDEN STUDY TRIP In February this year, the 2nd & 4th year DesignStudents went on a study trip to Sweden. Whilein Stockholm they attended the StockholmInternational Furniture Fair. Stockholm DesignWeek was also taking place that week whichprovided them with opportunities to attendmultiple events, seminars and exhibitions. http://www.stockholmfurniturelightfair.se/http://www.stockholmdesignweek.com/

NORTHERN IRELAND STUDY TRIP The 4th year Furniture Wood Technology studentstook a trip to Northern Ireland to visit a range ofcompanies including Merenda, Cherrymore, AndorasLimited, Specialist Joinery, UForm, Mivan, The DeluxeGroup, MJM and Farrells in Ardee. Study trips arebeneficial to the students to see the industry at itsbest and in the manufacturing process, it gives theman opportunity to make connections with industrypartners and to ask questions.

Pop up shopIn November, 4th year students set up a pop-up

shop just in time for Christmas! The studentsmade Christmas gifts to raise funds for a studytrip to Sweden. The pop-up shop proved to bevery popular amongst local shoppers with a

large turn out from the wider community.Certainly, one to repeat next year!

GREEN FLAG FOR BIODIVERSITYGreen Campus GMIT Letterfrack weresuccessful in obtaining their second green flagfor biodiversity in November 2017. Not onlywere the judges impressed about thedevelopment of the community nativewoodland in the Connemara National Park, butthey thought that there were many elements onthe Campus that were commendable includingthe new bug hotel! The new identification signhas been installed at the biodiversity area at theentrance, highlighting the different tree species.The Green Flag accreditation is a credit to allthe students and staff of GMIT Letterfrack andour colleagues in Connemara West for theirwork and enthusiasm.

GREEN QUIZGMIT Letterfrack students were Joined by staffin Letterfrack along with the visiting Aquinasstudents at the beginning of March to take partin the Green Campus Annual Quiz. As well asbeing a fun event, the quiz also helps educateall participants on global issues in relation tobiodiversity, waste management, water, energyand transport.

SPRING CLEAN – ANNUAL LITTER PICKA sunny super day for the Green Campus inApril when the annual Litter Pick event tookplace. Students and Staff, we were joined byYouthreach, the Further Education Centre andmembers of the community! A staggering 25bags of rubbish was collected. Great work!

TREE PLANTINGIn April, The GMIT Letterfrack Green Campus withGMIT Letterfrack students, Aquinas students,friends and neighbours planted 200 trees in theCommunity Native Woodlands in the ConnemaraNational Park. These trees contributed to thealready 3,000 planted since its establishment in2013.

The Green Campus have also been successful incollaborations with UBUNTU, COFORD and Teagascwhich will see an expansion of our work onsustainability in terms of research and appliedprojects in the coming years.

GREEN CAMPUS

NEW STUDENT INTAKE & INDUCTIONPROGRAMMEA GMIT #first5weeks welcome programme isintroduced to help all new students settle intocollege life. The programme kicks off with awelcome evening for friends and family to meetstaff and current students on the campus, thishelps the student settle into their newenvironment. The first week is all about providingthe students with what they need to know aboutthe campus and the services available to them. A tour along with activities in the local area helpintroduce the students to their surroundingsoutside of the campus. The following weeksfocus on areas such as:• 'Know Your College' - Learn about academic &

non-academic supports within GMIT. • 'Know Your Community' - Discover the wide

range of supports & services available to youwithin the local community.

• 'Mind Yourself' - Gain insight into buildinghealthy habits from the start and tips onmanaging stress & useful mindfulness tools toboost your physical & mental health

• 'Mind Your Resources' - Learn about the manyways you can save your money & theenvironment & the small changes that canmake a big difference.

DESIGN WEST INTERNATIONAL SUMMERSCHOOLGMIT Letterfrack hosted an action packed 2-week Design West Summer School in July. The summer school welcomed visitors from allover the world with 9 countries represented.Tutors included Isidro Ferrer (Spain), ArturRebelo (Portugal) and Ken Deegan (USA). Taking inspiration from the beautiful Connemaralandscape, the students held an exhibition ofwork to finish off a fantastic two weeks ofcreativity and sunshine!

SUMMER EXHIBITION– ‘AURA, FURNITURE FOR TOMORROW’

The annual summer exhibition was officially openedby Cllr Eileen Mannion, Cathaoirleach GalwayCounty Council on Wednesday 20th June. ‘aura’ isan exhibition showcasing innovation and creativityin The National Centre for Excellence in furnitureDesign and Technology. The exhibitionshows carefully selected piecesof furniture made by the GMITLetterfrack students.

LOUNGE CHAIRGerry MurrayStainless Steel, Leather, Macassar Ebony Veneer

CLOCKAdam BugajStainless Walnut and Brass

RIPPLE - TABLEMeghan KeyesMaple, Walnut, Plywood and Glass

DINING CHAIRConnor WhiteOak and Donegal Tweed

‘LINEACH’ - SIDE TABLEEvelyn McDonaghWalnut and Maple

MEMORY CHESTAdam BugiWalnut, Oak and Maple

OTHER NEWS

The book launch of See The Wood From The Trees by

Marion McGarry and Dermot O’Donovan (Artisan House,

Letterfrack, 2018) took place in July.

Marion McGarry and Dermot O’Donovan, both employees

at GMIT Letterfrack created this stunningly designed and

highly visual book. ‘See The Wood From The Trees’

documents the story of trees felled by storms in Áras an

Uachtaráin and subsequently gifted by the President,

Michael D. Higgins and his wife, Sabina, to GMIT Letterfrack.

Around this simple but inspired gesture, the book tells of

the chequered history of trees in Ireland as well as the story

of Áras an Uachtaráin and the plantations in its grounds. It

also tells the remarkable story of the transformation of a

central building in the Quaker-founded village of

Letterfrack, from its use as an industrial school to the

home of a GMIT campus through partnership with

Connemara West.

In a thoughtful foreword, President Higgins speaks

of the connection between Áras an Uachtaráin and

Letterfrack as ‘one founded on innovation and artistic

vision’. Architect and broadcaster Duncan Stewart provides

the introduction to the book, and its expressive visuals are

complemented by the poems The Farmleigh Tree Alphabet

by Theo Dorgan. (Clifden Arts Festival, 2018)

BOOK LAUNCH – SEE THE WOOD FROM THE TREES

LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION PREPARATION COURSEWe were delighted to deliver our Leaving Cert Examination Preparation

Course for DCG and Construction Studies for the second year running

in March 2018.

The course covers:

- Advice on preparing yourself for the Leaving Certificate examinations;

- Examination strategies for DCG short and core questions;

- Expertise on CS portfolio preparation and presentation;

- Techniques and skills for preparing for the CS Bench Skills Test;

- GMIT resources to assist you with revision.

Full details and booking can be found on the Eventbrite website.

www.eventbrite.ie. Submit your search on 'Letterfrack'.

YEP! (YOUNG ENTREPRENEURPROGRAMME) SUMMER SCHOOL

GMIT Letterfrack hosted its firstYoung Entrepreneur Summerschool in June. The programmeintroduced the young people todesign thinking, leadership,entrepreneurship and digitalfabrication skills. The studentsworked in teams to research and

create a small retail product utilising the fabrication laboratoryfacilities such as the 3D printer and Laser cutter. The week finished offwith some very impressive presentations given by the students ontheir products to a Dragons style Panel. Well done to all participantsinvolved.

GRADUATIONThe Conferring of Awards took place in Letterfrack on Friday 3rd November 2017,where we welcomed back 59 graduatesalong with their friends and families.

“As a GMIT graduate, you have been givenone of the best starts and have met excellentacademic standards upon which ourreputation is built – seize everything youhave learnt and reach your goals.”Dr Fergal J Barry, 2017. Congratulations to all our graduates, we wishyou well for the future.

GMIT Letterfrack continues to develop research capacity and pathways forgraduates to continue to Masters level awards. Two research bursaries werelaunched this year, one working on the design and development of a woodecolabel computer with MicroPro and a second, a Wals Fellowship incollaboration with Teagasc, which will involve research on adding value to Irish hardwoods.

MIMWOOD Staff are also involved in a European project called MIMWood – an Erasmus+

funded project with partners in Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy on building a

database of new and innovative materials for the furniture sector. Part of the

research for this project was carried out by students in their Materials and

Sustainability module. GMIT Letterfrack welcomed the MIMWOOD project team

on campus in July for a two-day meeting. To find out more about this project

please visit the website: www.mimwoodproject.eu

OPEN DAYSFriday 23rd November 2018, Friday 25thJanuary 2019 & Saturday 13th April. All Open Days start at 11.00am.

Why come to an Open Day?You get to see the campus withdemonstrations on the CNC, LaserCutter, 3D Printer & Robotics. Meet Staffand students and find out in full aboutthe programmes in GMIT Letterfrack.

WANT TOKNOW MORE?

RESEARCHPROJECTS